在上一章中我們讀到耶穌差遺十二門徒去「宣傳上帝國的道，醫治病人」(9:2)。在本章裡，耶穌又差遺了七十個人出去。也就是在這個情形下，耶穌說了有名的話：「要收的莊稼多，作工的人少，所以，你們當求莊稼的主，打發工人出去收祂的莊稼。」(2節)

        所以這七十個新兵就出去了。幾天後，他們興奮的回來，得意的向主報告說：「主啊，因祢的名，就是鬼也服了我們。」他們可能還這麼想：「我們有能力！我們有權柄！我們是多麼的特別！」

        他們的確是不同凡響。耶穌一定很高興，聽見他們一路順利。祂親手挑選了這些特別的人，差遺他們出去傳道、醫病、趕鬼──而他們成功了。他們試著效法耶穌的榜樣──他們做到了，只有一點顯著的例外：他們覺得自己屬靈的能力，特別是趕鬼的能力，太了不起了。屬靈的驕傲開始抬頭。

        耶穌幫助他們對事情有正確的看法。「趕鬼並不是什麼了不起的大事」，祂說，「你們也不須為此歡喜，倒要因你們的名被記錄在天上而歡喜。」不論醫病或趕鬼的神蹟有多大，它們與那最偉大的神蹟──出死入生──比起來都算不了什麼。救贖是頭號神蹟；其他的神蹟都相形失色。

        上帝並不以壯觀的神蹟，和一大群行神蹟者為了不起。上帝不像人，祂不會被事情的表象感動(畢竟，有假神蹟，也有假先知，他們也可以行出令人難忘的大神蹟)。祂只因祂的兒女而感動。祂喜歡倚靠祂的僕人，而不是個自己作主的人。

        主耶穌，謝謝您確保我們的名字被登錄於天。我們高興歡喜，因為有一天您要帶領我們，因信承受您所應許的永生。奉主耶穌基督聖名，阿們！

English

        In the last chapter, we read of Jesus sending out the twelve disciples “to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick” (9:2). In this chapter, He sends out seventy more. It’s in this context that Jesus says the famous words, “the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field” (v.2).

        So the seventy rookies went out, and came back, a few days later, with a glowing report. “Lord, even the demons submit to us in Your name,” they exulted. “We have power! Authority! We’re special!” Or so they thought.

        And they were. No doubt Jesus was pleased to hear it had gone so well. He had handpicked these special people. They had gone out to preach, heal, and deliver – and they had succeeded. They tried to follow Jesus’ example – and they did, with one glaring exception: they had become overly impressed with their spiritual power, especially as it related to their ability to rout demonic spirits. Spiritual pride was beginning to raise its ugly head.

        Jesus put things into perspective. “It’s no big deal about the demons,” He said, in effect. “That’s no reason to rejoice. Rather, rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.” As great as miracle of deliverance or healing maybe, it’s small bananas compared to the greatest miracle of all – passing from death into life. Salvation is miracle number one; beside it the other miracles pale in significance.

        God isn’t impressed with panoply of miracles and a plethora of miracle workers. Unlike humans, He’s not moved by the outward show of things (after all, there are false miracles and false prophets who, on the outside, are very impressive). He is impressed with those He calls His children. He likes dependents, not co-deities.

        Lord Jesus, thank you for the assurance of our names written in heaven. We rejoice because of that day when You led us to receive by faith You gift of eternal life according to Your promises.